The KBDB (Royal Belgian Pigeon Federation) informs its members about a recent incident that occurred during the preparation of the trucks for the pigeon release of the national flight from Chateauroux. Some pigeons escaped. Unfortunately, the KBDB was unable to release the other pigeons or postpone the release due to the predicted heat. Therefore, the Royal Belgian Pigeon Federation (KBDB) has decided to exclude the pigeons from the affected local area from the competition and proceed with the pigeon release at 8 a.m.!
The KBDB deeply regrets this incident and aims to maintain open and honest communication with its members and local clubs. The KBDB had to make a decision on-site as quickly as possible, which was not easy at that moment.
We appreciate this open communication. We support open communication and hope that there will also be an update on what went wrong exactly. Members also have the right to this information, especially insight into how to prevent such incidents in the future.
Below you will find the official message from the KBDB.
Today, an unfortunate incident occurred during the preparations for the release of our KBDB pigeon race from Châteauroux. At 07:24, during the final preparations, 17 pigeons escaped from a crate belonging to the Ruiselede association. At that moment, the handlers were unable to release the other pigeons present. Bart, as a KBDB staff member, and I myself were present at the Châteauroux release site.
Considering the predicted temperatures, we could not delay the release. A complete inspection of all crates from this association would have taken hours.
A decision had to be made, and as everyone knows, making a choice is never easy. The decision was made to exclude all pigeons entered in the Ruiselede local from the results. This decision was immediately communicated to the association as well as to the president of PE West Flanders.
The KBDB, as the organizer, wishes to apologize to the affected association and, most importantly, to the affected pigeon fanciers.
We will intervene with the carrier to provide some financial compensation to the affected pigeon fanciers.
We, as the KBDB, wish to communicate openly and honestly about this matter as we hold fair pigeon racing in high regard!
Once again, our apologies to the pigeon fanciers of the Ruiselede association.
Best regards,
The national president, Pascal Bodengien.
Naam schrijver: Buelens, Geert